The Tonquin was a 290-ton merchant ship owned by the American Pacific Fur Company (PFC). The ship was intended to establish and supply PFC outposts in the Pacific Northwest along with participating in the Maritime Fur Trade by selling valuable furs to the Qing Empire. Work began in May 1811 on the sole trading post founded by the Tonquin, Fort Astoria. After the initial construction was completed, the ship sailed north to trade with the Nuu-chah-nulth nations of Vancouver Island. While the crew was negotiating commercial transactions with the Tla-o-qui-aht nation in June, a dispute arose due to Jonathan Thorn's treatment of an elder. The entire crew besides its interpreter from the Quinault nation was killed by armed Tla-o-qui-aht led by chief Wickaninnish. The Tonquin was destroyed and su